This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- May’24

OK, I can’t believe that we are already in the month of May. This year has gone by so fast! My TBR just keeps growing and I know there are not enough hours in a day/month/year that I can tackle all of the books I want to read. Despite that growing list, I’m going to pick the 5 books that I’m most excited to see being released in May. These five will definitely be on my TBR and hopefully I’ll be able to crack open a page.

This is the second outdoor adventure competition romance that I’ve seen coming out in May. They both look cute but this one edged out the other since it’s an adult contemporary. Looks like a fun and easy read and should be put in your carry on for the first beach vacation of the year.

Synopsis: Orie Lennox has spent her entire life prepping for her happily ever after — and now that she’s graduated, she’s low-key wondering, when the heck is it gonna hit. Her love life, her new job, her relationship with her sister: none of it is quite what she envisioned it to be.

One evening, on a whim, she applies for a reality show where she’ll be stranded on an island, with a bunch of strangers, to play a game of human chess for a shot at a million dollars. What better way to force herself to break up with the things that aren’t bringing her joy, than to abandon them all on short notice to live off the grid on a beach in the South Pacific!

Orie’s shocked when she ends up cast in an experimental romantic edition of the show: and even more surprised to find that her old high school crush, Remy, has been cast as well. Orie’s one of ten contestants, set to compete in formidable challenges, while speed dating, in the wilderness: without deodorant, toilets, shaving cream, or showers. (How!?)

She finds herself tied up — literally — in a game of risky alliances as she navigates ever-growing feelings for her one that got away, alongside an exciting array of budding new relationships.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Attached at the Hip

When Nora has one of her romantic suspense releases I want to immediately snatch it up. This one seems to be more sinister than normal. yeah!

Synopsis:

As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.

Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse—because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them—and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…

Click this link to purchase this book!* Mind Games

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase one of these books through a link on this blog I’ll receive a small stipend.

I have just recently discovered Elle Kennedy’s college hockey series. If you like your romance a bit raunchy and characters with a lot of heart, you need to reach for one of her books. She was recommended to me and I’ve gobbled them all up.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Dixon Rule

Crazy Rich Asians was such a fun novel and the movie was technicolor bliss. I saw this synopsis and thought- I have to read this one!

Synopsis:

Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories manors and yachts lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding at a luxury eco-resort, a veritable who’s-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money.

Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong? When a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials and a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, the Gresham family plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.

Can the once-great dukedom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?

In a globetrotting tale that takes us from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, from the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England’s oldest family estates, Kevin Kwan unfurls a juicy, hilarious, sophisticated and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.

Click this link to purchase this book! Lies and Weddings

Since this author duo moved on from New Adult fiction I’ve completely enjoyed virtually all of their novels. They immediately hit my TBR and if I don’t read it, I listen to the audiobook!

Synopsis:

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Paradise Problem

There were so many books to choose from and these are the ones that I chose for my own pleasure reading. What did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases for Jan’24

I have to say it. We are approaching 2024 already? Time has flown by so fast! I’ve just about hit my reading goal of 200 books this year, although I may fall short by a couple. When I was on Goodreads checking that out I thought I’d take a look at the January book releases to see how I would start off my year. Below are my top 5.

Some people may have this one higher on the list but with a page count of 848 I’m kind of dreading the amount of time it will take to read. While not as good as some of her other novels, I’m still committed to this series so I know at some point in 2024 I will get started. I do want to see how these characters are going to recover from what happened in the second tome.

Jill Shalvis is aways my go-to when I don’t want to take a chance that I’ll dislike the book I’m starting to read. Her sweet romances solid friendship stories satisfy my reader’s brain. This series is more women’s fiction than romance but I really like the community she’s built and can’t wait to read this one.

While I am way beyond the demographic for the young adult genre, I’ll admit to keeping an eye out for a synopsis that peaks my interest. This opposites attract plot looks like fun!

Yep! I’m a historical romance fan. Especially when it’s a new novel from Mimi Matthews. Her characters are always diverse, and she tells their story in a very realistic way that keeps me coming back to pick up her next novel.

This writing duo does not disappoint. A second chance romance with a rising star writing songs about each of her broken relationships. I can’t wait to read this second chance romance it looks so good!

That’s it! My top 5. Does it match yours? Happy reading everyone!

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (12/11/23)

December is the busiest time of the year at work which means time is pretty limited. However, there’s nothing like escaping into a good book to help you destress. I’ll admit that I’m not reading anything challenging and am choosing books that are easy to fall into and finish. Here’s what I’ve been reading.

I was lucky enough to get an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and gobbled it up as soon as it hit my kindle. Oh my god, Ali Hazelwood wrote something completely different than her other novels and it worked! Loved these characters and the world she built. I can’t wait for the audiobook to come out.

I’ve enjoyed Ashley Poston’s book and this series has been totally cute. The first two took place in a Comic con environment and the characters were actors in a sci-fi franchise. This novel follows another character from that sci-fi franchise but takes place in a small town. It’a little harder to get into but I’m not giving up on it yet.

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (11/13/23)

I like to listen to books I’ve read before because I can easily catch up to the plot if my attention strays from what I’m listening to. One of the books I just finished was an audiobook. I had read the book not too long ago and was looking forward to re-capturing what I liked about the story and maybe hearing a few things that I missed when reading it. What I forgot about was that I really don’t like this narrator. She’s alright with the female voices but she does not have a talent for doing male voices and it’s so distracting. I think I forget about how I feel until I go to listen to a book in this series again and then kick myself over wasting the credit. Regardless, the story is actually very good. Here’s what I’ve been up to.

Yeah, not a huge fan of this narrator but am a very big fan of the author. This series has done a great job of growing the main character Eileen, a brand new vampire who still has ties to the human world but has also quickly come to grips with being a spook. Listening to an audiobook always gives me a glimpse of a few things that I miss when reading a book. I love finding those little moments!

I have been on a big Jill Shalvis kick lately so I was excited to receive an advance reader copy of her newest book out next month. I haven’t read more than a few pages but I know that I will get the comfort, from the heart, romance that she so consistently delivers. I can’t wait to read this one!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your Monday is off to a great start.

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/30/23)

I picked up an older novel by a favorite author that I hadn’t yet read. I wondered how I missed this one in a series where I read the majority. I was in the mood for something comfortable, where I knew the author would deliver a good novel. I was absolutely correct and enjoyed it tremendously. Isn’t the the best thing when you know you’ll like a book because the author is so danged consistent? Here’s a peek into what I’ve been reading…

Yes it was Jill Shalvis that I was talking about above. Her novels have the best friendships and the romance makes you feel good. I actually love that I missed a few of the books in this series and have those to look forward to reading, now that they’re back on my radar.

Speaking of dependable, Nora Roberts’ romantic suspense novels are always fun to read. I just started this novel, but I already like the strong heroine, her ghost filled manor house, and the prospect of romance with an attractive hero. Plus the cover is just gorgeous, isn’t it?

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/23/23)

Lately my reading tastes have been all over the place and I’m genre jumping to try to find that one book that will scratch that “need a good book” itch. I finished a really different historical romance novel yesterday and am trying to get into a fantasy that just seems to be dragging. Why am I so moody? If the next chapter doesn’t grab me I’m going to have to switch to a book I’ve read and know I like. A little comfort reading usually gets me out of the slump. Here are the books at the top of my TBR, well one is now off.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this novel and it was just as great as I’d hoped. If you haven’t read this series by Evie Dunmore but like historical novels, you will love these. They are so smartly written, take place during the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the romances are very intelligent. I’ll be writing a review to be released soon, but needless to say I liked it a lot!

I am having the hardest time getting into this book! I have never read a Katee Robert novel, so I don’t have any expectations but I’ve heard this is a different direction for her. I usually love fantasy novels but this character is just…not very charming or likable. I’m giving it one more chapter. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Have a great Monday everyone, and happy reading!

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/9/23)

I feel like I’m finally getting back into my reading schedule and have listened to and have been reading some good books in the last week or so. Here’s what I’ve been up to.

I took the day off on Thursday and plugged in my ear buds and listened to this book in its entirety. It was so good! I think I connected with it particularly because I’ve had a few knocks and the subject just resonated. I really appreciated the message of hope and resilience.

Always a fan of Ali Hazelwood, I believe this is her first foray into the young adult genre. I’m about to crack it open and can’t wait to dive into some interesting characters.

I hope you’ve all been rocking your reading lists! Happy Monday and happy reading.

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/2/23)

After a bit of a reading slump I seem to have gotten my rhythm back and am finally in the mood to read some books. It helps that the books I’ve chosen to read have been really good! Here’s what’s on my virtual shelf.

By the author of last year’s bestseller One Day In December, Josie Silver’s new novel repeated that magical formula. This novel packed an emotional punch and left me feeling great about the characters and their happily ever after ending.

After reading a couple of romances I needed a genre shift and chose this romantic suspense novel by an author whom I always enjoy reading. I literally just started this novel last night but so far so good! The gripping story got me right from the turn of the first page.

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- Oct’23

Usually I start this post talking about the hard task of digging through all of the choices to figure out my top 5 book releases for the month. I’ll admit, I had the opposite problem this time. I dug through the lists and had trouble finding five I wanted to read. I’ll admit, I’m in a bit of a slump and finding it hard to get into a book at the moment. Life has just been so busy! BUT here are the one’s I did find that I will be adding to my TBR.

A sequel to the novel that started it all for John Grisham- The Firm. I read the firm back when it came out. I haven’t read too many of John Grisham’s more recent novels but I’m curious to see where he is leading the iconic main character.

Synopsis: What became of Mitch and Abby McDeere after they exposed the crimes of Memphis law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke and fled the country? The answer is in The Exchange, the riveting sequel to The Firm, the blockbuster thriller that launched the career of America’s favorite storyteller. It is now fifteen years later, and Mitch and Abby are living in Manhattan, where Mitch is a partner at the largest law firm in the world. When a mentor in Rome asks him for a favor that will take him far from home, Mitch finds himself at the center of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications—and once again endangers his colleagues, friends, and family. Mitch has become a master at staying one step ahead of his adversaries, but this time there’s nowhere to hide.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Exchange

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase any of these books through the associated link I’ll receive a small stipend.

Can you really go wrong with the magic that is usually contained between the pages of a Josie Silver book? I think not!

Synopsis: A young chef stumbles on a secret family recipe that might lead her to the love—and life—she’s been looking for in this stunning novel from the New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December.

When Iris decides to move to New York to restart her life, she realizes she underestimated how big the Big Apple really is—all the nostalgic movies set in New York she’d watched with her mom while eating their special secret-recipe gelato didn’t quite do it justice. 

But Bobby, Iris’s best friend, isn’t about to let her hide away. He drags her to a famous autumn street fair in Little Italy, and as they walk through the food stalls, a little family-run gelateria catches her eye—could it be the same shop that’s in an old photo of her mother’s?

Curious, Iris returns the next day and meets the handsome Gio, who tells her that the shop is in danger of closing. His uncle, sole keeper of their family’s gelato recipe, is in a coma, so they can’t make more. When Iris samples the last remaining batch, she realizes that their gelato and her gelato are one and the same. But how can she tell them she knows their secret recipe when she’s not sure why Gio’s uncle gave it to her mother in the first place?

Iris offers her services as a chef to help them re-create the flavor and finds herself falling for Gio and his family. But when Gio’s uncle finally wakes up, all of the secrets Iris has been keeping threaten to ruin the new life—and new love—she’s been building all winter long.

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Winter in New York

I love a great friendship novel and this book looks to be the best kind of friendship- friends to lovers. I’ve got my fingers crossed Imogen becomes this man’s first choice!

Synopsis:mogen Finch has just been through her seventeenth breakup. She saw it coming, so she’s not as crushed as she might be, but with all seventeen of her exes leaving her for other partners, she’s come to believe a prediction her well-intentioned and possibly clairvoyant mother made over twenty years ago: that Imogen would never come first at anything or to anyone. Is her love life failing due to a magical curse? Insufficient effort? Poor timing or personality mismatches? Everyone has opinions on the matter.

Imogen’s ready to give up altogether. But when Eliot Swift, her secret high school crush, returns to their small coastal town after a decade of nomadic travels, Imogen has new motivation to try again. Eliot’s full of encouragement. He suggests that her curse is not only imagined, it’s easily breakable. All they need is one win–any win–and she can believe in love, and in herself again.

From trivia games to swimming races to corn-shucking contests, the pair sets out to snag Imogen her first first. But when victory proves more elusive than Eliot anticipated, and when his deep-seeded wanderlust compels him to depart for far away places, Imogen fears she’s destined to remain in second place forever. Fortunately for them both, sometimes magic lingers in the most unexpected places. And love is far from predictable.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch

I live in music city and have a soft spot for rock star (country star?) romances. Erin Hahn has written some great YA novels and I’m looking forward to this foray into adult romances.

Synopsis: Lorelai Jones had it all: a thriving country music career and a superstar fiancé. Then she played one teenie tiny protest song at a concert and ruined her entire future, including her impending celebrity marriage. But five years later, she refuses to be done with her dreams and calls up the one person who stuck by her, her dear friend and her former fiancé’s co-writer and bandmate, Craig.

Craig Boseman’s held a torch for Lorelai for years, but even he knows the backup bass player never gets the girl. Things are different now, though. Craig owns his own indie record label and his songwriting career is taking off. If he can confront his past and embrace his gifts, he might just be able to help Lorelai earn the comeback she deserves—and maybe win her heart in the process.

But when the two reunite to rebuild her career and finally scratch that itch that’s been building between them for years, Lorelai realizes a lot about what friends don’t do. For one, friends don’t have scratch-that-itch sex. They also don’t almost-kiss on street corners, publish secret erotic poetry about each other, have counter-top sex, write songs for each other, have no-strings motorcycle sex, or go on dates. And they sure as heck don’t fall in love… right?

Click this link to purchase this book!* Friends Don’t Let Friends Fall in Love

Real people with real problems who fall in love. The first novel in this series was great and I can’t wait to dig into this one!

Synopsis:

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno.

Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.

When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Hate Than Never

It’s Sunday! Let’s all relax, have a great day, and read a book! Have a good one.

Deb

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (9/11/23)

I’ve spent the last two weeks moving so I really haven’t read too many books, but I did finish one book by Ashley Poston that was cute, and started a new one last night. I miss my reading time! Here is what is on my virtual nightstand!

I’ve enjoyed this author’s recent adult contemporary novels and wanted to finish out this young adult series I’d started a few years ago. The Princess and the Fangirl was a cute re-telling of The Prince and the Pauper, although I certainly wouldn’t have gotten that reference if I hadn’t read it in the synopsis. It was a fun story and I really enjoyed the comic con setting and interesting characters!

Very easy to get into and as entertaining as Meghan Quinn’s novels usually are. This was the perfect book for me to pick up and escape into!

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb